itscurtains | third trial

[As the investigation ends, you'll hear Hester's voice inviting you to the auditorium. As this happens, the twin doors on either side of the concession stand, across from the gym, will click open. You can enter on either side; both go to the same place. Some of you have a detour to make beforehand- Hester lets you in to her office to drop off the precious cargo without incident. She then slips off to in the direction of the scene shop.

When you enter the auditorium, it's dark. There's only the small lights along the walkway behind all the seats, just enough to illuminate where you're going. There's a central path between the seats, down towards where you know the stage must be. That's where you must be going, right? As you pass each row of seats, the lights at their ends flick on, marking your procession and slowly making more and more of the room visible. Shortly, you can see your destination: a circle of podiums stationed in the orchestra pit, below the lip of the darkened, curtained stage. They're all identical, labeled with a cast member's name. The SQUIP, the Balladeer and Rina now have theirs draped in black crepe and with a framed monochrome photo of them on top.

When you reach the podiums, the lights above the stage finally come on. the Wizard is once again waiting for you. Beside it Hester is slowly lowers in on her bubble. Either she was magicked up there or the catwalk repair had a very impressive turnaround time. The Dad Squad and Peregrine have already seen this week's look but those who haven't might notice the braid bun her hair is in has half-fallen out and her little white heels are covered in dirt.

The mechanical head, with glowing green eyes, is installed above the stage and the still-closed curtain. Even if you were standing on the stage, it'd be well out of reach. It peers down at all of you, its motions fluid, and speaks with a booming, artificial-sounding voice:]

Welcome to your third trial, everyone. It's time to determine who was responsible for the murder of Rina. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and work together - you'll have to show teamwork if you want to leave this room alive.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You don’t get to tell me what to do! Ask me whatever the fuck you want, but don’t tell me what you think I’m allowed to say or not say.

Say whatever you wish. But do not prevent us from investigating fully, Farrah. The last thing you need is undue suspicion on your shoulders.

Oh, fuck off! There’s no undue suspicion on my shoulders—- or his! What’s with you?

The more you fight against any line of questioning, the more it makes it seem like you are trying to hide something. I don't want to believe that is true for one moment, but it does worry me.

[ Peregrine puts a hand on Maya's. ]

Maya. She has one of Rina's bracelets. It can't be her.

I don't think it's her. But I am worried about Varian's hands. That seems... rather quick for bruising to develop.

People don't kill their girlfriends, Maya, glob. Varian's just a delicate little nerdboy who gets hurt easily.

[ ... ]

Varian wouldn't. He wouldn't hurt Rina.

She might not have hurt at all. He may have believed he was helping her. Or, moreover.

It could have been an accident. Or the wrong target.

(no subject)

violentenvies - 2021-06-26 18:47 (UTC) - Expand

sugarlumps - 2021-06-26 18:48 (UTC) - Expand

comeandfindme - 2021-06-26 18:49 (UTC) - Expand

1/2

mayavericks - 2021-06-26 18:50 (UTC) - Expand

2/2

mayavericks - 2021-06-26 18:51 (UTC) - Expand

comeandfindme - 2021-06-26 18:52 (UTC) - Expand

mayavericks - 2021-06-26 18:53 (UTC) - Expand

alchemistake - 2021-06-26 18:57 (UTC) - Expand

brokeforgood - 2021-06-26 19:11 (UTC) - Expand

mayavericks - 2021-06-26 19:11 (UTC) - Expand

brokeforgood - 2021-06-26 19:15 (UTC) - Expand

mayavericks - 2021-06-26 19:16 (UTC) - Expand

brokeforgood - 2021-06-26 19:24 (UTC) - Expand

disharmonizes - 2021-06-26 18:49 (UTC) - Expand

[MAYA...]

I caught myself on the asphalt. That's the truth, I...

[He shakes his head a little.]

I don't know what else to say.

I want to believe you. But... We have to ask these questions. I am not doing this because I want to hurt any of you. I simply want to ask the questions that need to be ask before any of us gets hurt.

alchemistake - 2021-06-26 18:49 (UTC) - Expand

No.

Varian wouldn't do this. Not to her, of all people.

[Cassandra is resolute in that. More than anything else today.]

Fuck off!

Are you all hearing this bitch?!

You are taking this far too personally, Farrah.

Because it’s fucking personal! You did the same shit last week with Per!

I asked the necessary questions, Farrah. I --

[Listen if you're not canon familiar with Revue Starlight and don't want to be spoiled, do not click this link. All you need to know is that Maya's voice sounds powerful and angry.]

I will not let anyone interfere
With our own eternal bonds.

Farrah.

[gently to get her attention]

Do you?

I do. [calmly. And then he looks at her very seriously]

I know you're trying to be a good sister and protect your brother. I know. You are, truly, and the sooner a question gets answered, the faster any suspicion others might have can be dismissed.

I don't like it, either, but it is the fastest way to turn the suspicion from Varian and find whomever really did this.

brokeforgood - 2021-06-26 18:57 (UTC) - Expand

violentenvies - 2021-06-26 19:01 (UTC) - Expand

brokeforgood - 2021-06-26 19:05 (UTC) - Expand

violentenvies - 2021-06-26 19:26 (UTC) - Expand

brokeforgood - 2021-06-26 19:53 (UTC) - Expand

violentenvies - 2021-06-26 19:57 (UTC) - Expand

[ watches this happen like a slow motion train wreck ]

[come hold her hoops]

Farrah, please...

[Please.]

It's okay. Maya's just being thorough, she's not..

She’s being a fucking bitch! Like, fuck off, I’m not going to let her just talk shit about us like this!

[Varian chooses that moment to actually back off. He knows he's not going to be able to say much to help here, so...maybe it's best to wait for Farrah to cool off.]